Two more indicted in firebombing

Matthew DolanTHE BALTIMORE SUN

A federal grand jury indicted yesterday two new defendants in the firebombing of a community leader's home in North Baltimore, including a reputed gang leader who prosecutors said wanted the local activist dead.

Terrance Smith, 24, and Shakia Watkins, 19, both of Baltimore, join five others charged with witness tampering, conspiracy and illegal use of explosives for their alleged role in the Jan. 15 arson of Harwood Community Association President Edna McAbier's house.

McAbier, who lives on Lorraine Avenue, had complained to police about drug trafficking in her neighborhood, which she believed made her a target. McAbier was in the house at the time of the attack but was unhurt.

Smith is in state custody on unrelated murder charges, and Watkins remained a fugitive yesterday, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Officials said that two 17-year-olds also implicated in the case would most likely be charged and tried in state juvenile court.

According to charging documents, one of the 17-year-olds identified Terrance Smith as the Bloods gang leader who allegedly made it known that he "wanted that [expletive] dead," referring to McAbier.

A six-count superseding indictment released yesterday alleges that the seven adult defendants were responsible for a call placed to a Baltimore City 911 operator to report a fictitious crime in order to direct police away from the area of the fire bombing.

Terrance Smith, known as "Buck," has been charged in Baltimore Circuit Court with the murder of Reshawn Myers, 19, of the 700 block of Exeter Hall Ave. in Baltimore.

According to court papers, a witness told Baltimore detectives that Myers was lured to a park in the 5700 block of Chinquapin Parkway, where she was fatally shot.

Myers died from a single gunshot wound to the head, and her body was found Jan. 20.

Smith and Coketa S. Diggins of the 2500 block of Harford Road were arrested Feb. 16 at a motel on U.S. 1 in Savage, police said, and each was charged with first-degree murder. A joint trial in Baltimore circuit court is scheduled for Aug. 16.